Some Suggestions for Possible Reads Next Year

[Bernard]

Shikabu Murasaki, "The Tale of Genji"
Xueqin Cao, "The Dream of the Red Chamber"
Sappho, "If Not...Winter," tr. by Anne Carson
Lucretius, "De Rerum Natura" ("On the Nature of Things")
Eugene O'Neill, "Mourning Becomes Electra"
"Njal's Saga"
"Rubaiyat" of Omar Khayyam, tr. Edward FitzGerald
Pushkin, "Eugene Onegin"
Aeschylus, "Oresteia," or "Seven Against Thebes," which is the Gorilla Theatre play next June

[Tim]

Plutarch's "Lives" - or -
"The Gallic Wars" by Julius Ceasar,

"The Federalist Papers" - or
"Common Sense" by Tom Paine

"Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain,

"Last of the Mohicans" by James Fennimore Cooper

[Clif, moderator]

For the Biblical literature slot -- Ecclesiastes from the old Testament.
Ecclesiastes provides reflections on the meaning of life and the best way of life. It endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life but finds little meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, it proposes to enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God.

For the Short Story Literature slot -- Candide by Voltaire (published in 1759)
It can be read in 3.5 hours which is perhaps too long to be called a short story. Voltaire addresses the problem of evil in a humorous and allegorical manner that satirizes the philosophers, theologians and politicians of his day. It contains numerous allusions and references to canonic authors and works.
Note to Brian: There’s an Anabaptist character in the story.